The Portland daily press., 1887-05-28

Florence In the thirteenth century, TO trace
the parties of Church and State through the
tangle of factions and fights, and to sympa-
thize with the development of Dante's polit-
ical theories from inheri ted Guelfsm to ideal
Ghibellenism. The opening chapters OF the
present volume are very compact, ana serve
to give the key to the situation OF Fiorentlne
affairs. OF Dante's personal story only TOO
little can be affirmed with certainty, yet
from the sentimental biography Of him, writ
ten by Boccsccio and the practical, Journal
istic memoir by Leonardo Bruni OF Arezzo,
from the chronicles of VILLAIN, and from the
| internal testimony of Dante's own writings,
commentator. have been able to form con-
.i,tent If not complete picture Of his life.
The present biography includes also brief
descriptions of the minor works OF the poet;
and picturesque outline Of the argument
and scenes of the Divina Cemmeaia Tho
authors own comment Is careful, modest
and scholarly. A few instances OF italian
names misspelled will be matter for correc-
ton in future editions; but such slight blem-
ishes in no wise affect the worth of this
compact, useful and generally reliable biog-
raphy Of the indispensable poet Of Italy and
Of the world.
Mr.. ii. c. Burners Story Of a New York
House is genuinely artistic and well-told
tale. He has a remarkable ana enviable
power of absorption in his theme, Of steep
ing his work In the atmosphere Of the time
OF society which 1t depicts, and the still
more rare gift Of all, Of ignoring whatever is
unnecessary or inharmonious. Perhaps he
has given no mere brilliant example Of his
power of sustained representation than the
delicious little story of Love in Old Clothes
but in quieter and moro serious vein, this
Story of q New York House Is a fner
achievement. The house. according to It's
chronicler. was built by prosperous NOR
chant, Jacob Dolph. in the early years of
this ce injury; and pretty picture is
that which the author makes of Jacob,
with his little boy by tie hand.
walking up from his house on State
street, bowing to acquaintanees right and
left, and stopping to exchange stately COM
| pliments with old Madame de Angss, In her
| carriage, shaped like a huge section of n
| cheese" The description of the yellow fe-
yer panic. and the burial by night of the
wife of Jacob Dolph is finely dramatic; and
the delineation Of the slow failing of tho
| mind of the old man. and his piteous retreat
| from the company assembled around his ia
BILE, is nothing less than mastery. The sto-
| ry of the younger Jacob, married to little
Aline des Anges is traced with quiet power.
The close of his life repeats, as by inheri-
tance, the slow decay Of that of his father,
and his vital force seems to crumble and fall
into ruin at the strokes that tear down the
/ old house Mr.. Bunner succeeds In keeping
the house itself prominent before the reader.
| as the true protagonist Of the story, and this
| without resort to the oyerstrainsd methods
| by which Dickens and his imitatorS dragged
landscape and surroundings into fantastic
1 sympathy with human sentiment. Tho au-
thory of the Story of New York House
may be congratulated upon a genuine and
thorough success. The illustrations, by Mr..
A. B. Frost are excellent; and the whols
appearance Of the volume is very attractive.
(New York: Charles Scribner's Sons)
The Russian Church and Russian Dissent,
is the title of an extensive work from the
pen of Albert f. Heard, formerly consul.
general for Russia at Shanghai. The prepa-
ration of such a volume of ecclesiastical his.
tory written for general readers, is . task Of
magnitude, representing much expenditure
of time, research and learning. The author
traces Russian religion from the date of the
separation Of the Eastern and Westerr
churches, through the legendary morning
twilight OF its earliest conversion to Christi
anity up to the present time. According tc
popular belief, the city Of Novgorod was
founded by Japhet and there st. Andrew
came and preached the gospel. The ploui
legends of the country seem like connect
ing link between the Arabian Nights and
the Lives of the Saints. In modern times
Russia is still divided by great number Of
religious sects, widely different in theil
creeds and practices, but all pervaded b.
fiery zeal like that which animated the cru
saders; and presenting = strange problem
to students of Russian civilization. Nev
York: Harper & Brothsrs.)
Between Whites was the name chosen By
the late Mrs. Helen Hunt Jackson for vol
ume of short stories which she did not liv,
to complete. The first Of these, The Inn O.
the Golden Pear, is powerful unfinished 70
nance of the Canadian frontier rich In dra
matte interest and vivid color. The Mystery
Of Wilhelm Rutter is a pastoral Of one of tn,
German settlements in Pennsylvania, with
tragic element in its quiet narrative. Littl,
Bells Supplement and tho Captain of tn,
Heather Bell are stsries of tho humble pleas.
ures and pathos of the lives of tie jewellers
in Prince Edwards Island. and are alread,
familiar to readers of the magazines. Dan
dy Steve has something of the quality of Mr.
l Hor otc sfn +-ax ofa % kha A al
rondack region. The Princes Little Sweet
heart is the last story of the volume, and Il
said to have been dreamed, and then written
by Mrs. Jackson. Opinions have been di
yided as to whether 1t means much or moth
ing, and the probabilities seem to favor the
latter theory. Boston Roberts Brothers.)
A year since the Youths Companion Of
Boston offered prize Of fifteen hundred dol
lars for the best serial story, and the fortu
nate competitor was Mr.. Homer Greene, WHIT
presented his story Of The Blind Brother. /
is strong, graphic and touching story o.
life in the Pennsylvania coal-mines. Molly
Maguires and explosions play their part. ant
the readers interest Is kept alive throughout
The honesty and heroism of Tom, and the
patience Of the little blind Bonnie are at las
rewarded, and In full measure. The story
combines many Of the best elements of popu
Iarity. Dick. the Door-boy, is the name of
short tale included in the volume, also thrill
: ing and pathetic; but its little heroic say
} nothing of the readers who follow his fear
full climb up the icy ladder Of the aIr-shaft-
deserved kindlier fate at the author
hands. Mr.. Greene may hencsforth be count
ed among the successful writers Of juyenil,
fiction. (New York: Thomas ". Crowell 4
Coz
Rural Hours, BY Susan Fenimore Cooper
is charming volume Of patient and erigi
nal studies Of Nature. 1t is q journal of tn,
changes Of the year in the fields and woods
written with close observation and pleas
ant temper Of mind that varies from sentl
!. ment to humor. Traces of the free wander
ing spirit Of the author of the Deer-Slayer to
!, whom Miss Cooper dedicates her book-art
to be noted in her lively protest against the
prosaic nomenclature Of botany, her love fol
| Loo fy hounfQ end hor int ir eo,,,a ,-o,r